Strategies to Reduce the Use of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents for Abdominal MRI in Children

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this article is to review strategies to reduce the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents for pediatric abdominal MRI. CONCLUSION. Alternative contrast agents that do not contain gadolinium and unenhanced pediatric abdominal MRI protocols have shown clinical utility. Sequences such as DWI and new multicontrast MRI pulse sequences offer promise for tissue characterization without IV contrast agents. Patients requiring repeat MRI to evaluate for change in focal disease can be monitored with unenhanced abdominal MRI.

Keywords: ferumoxytol; gadolinium deposition; pediatric abdominal MRI; unenhanced MRIs.